|
TOEFL Directory > TOEFL writing > 16. the war between Britain and France
16. the war between Britain and France
In the late eighteenth century, battles raged in almost every corner of
Europe, as well as in the Middle East, south Africa ,the West Indies,
and Latin America. In reality, however, there was only one major war
during this time, the war between Britain and France. All other battles
were ancillary to this larger conflict, and were often at least
partially related to its antagonist?goals and strategies. France
sought total domination of Europe . this goal was obstructed by British
independence and Britain's efforts throughout the continent to thwart
Napoleon; through treaties. Britain built coalitions (not dissimilar in
concept to today's NATO) guaranteeing British participation in all
major European conflicts. These two antagonists were poorly matched,
insofar as they had very unequal strengths; France was predominant on
land, Britain at sea. The French knew that, short of defeating the
British navy, their only hope of victory was to close all the ports of
Europe to British ships. Accordingly, France set out to overcome Britain
by extending its military domination from Moscow t Lisbon, from Jutland
to Calabria. All of this entailed tremendous risk, because France did
not have the military resources to control this much territory and still
protect itself and maintain order at home.
French strategists calculated that a navy of 150 ships would provide the
force necessary to defeat the British navy. Such a force would give
France a three-to-two advantage over Britain. This advantage was deemed
necessary because of Britain's superior sea skills and technology
because of Britain's superior sea skills and technology, and also
because Britain would be fighting a defensive war, allowing it to win
with fewer forces. Napoleon never lost substantial impediment to his
control of Europe. As his force neared that goal, Napoleon grew
increasingly impatient and began planning an immediate attack.
|
